Behind the Hero Special: Justice Unlimited
By SolarGemX
Horizon, what can be said about Horizon? Some people see it as one of the metahuman capitals of the world, easily having a staggering amount of Metahuman in comparison to many other locations on the planet. Others probably consider it a hotbed for both Heroic groups like New Dawn, more money aligned teams like the Powers, newcomers like Crusade (interesting team name…) or other less "favorable" teams like The Demon Flamez. Finally, many more would call Horizon, in their own words "The city that's near two eldritch monstrosities and is still somehow standing." Here in Behind the Hero, we talk a lot about different heroic teams, their stories, their victories, and defeats, and of course; any controversy that may have surrounded them. Some may consider it easy money, talking about incidents or the bones in many a team's closet. But that's what many of us reporters and interviewers (At least the respectable ones) do. We seek the truth; we seek to share our love of heroes to the masses, and we hope to see them act better as a result. You may be asking where I'm going with this. Well today's team is one of the most famous teams in Horizon, who VERY recently has entered into quite the controversy. Yes, today we speak about Justice Unlimited, a team with a long history of heroics and who I can easily assume is being hounded for answers to their secrets ever since the faithful event in Praça do Orixá on December 25, 2067.
For those that somehow have avoided all forms of media in the last few weeks, let me catch you all up on the events. On December 25, a new joint-venture between Dominion Security Concerns and Ọsanyìn Conglomerated Industries was announced to the world, among the various speakers like the current CEO of Allied Global Logistics; General Oliver Bringham, a new hero movement was announced: Crusade. This team was formed using members of several factions including Global Justice, Powers, and members of the elite hero team of Elysium Station, The Horae Guard. This new team was led by an armored figure, eerily familiar to another hero, Valiant Red. The hero named Valiant Red, White, and Blue then proceeds to reveal the "Truth" of the Leviathan movement that had taken the lives of countless heroes in the QZ, Justice Unlimited. He announced the supposed cause of the Movement being the result of Valiant Silver's Armor being a psionic siphon, using the Leviathan itself as a source of power. Some members of the audience including New Dawn Member Dreamcatcher, spoke in Valiant Silver's defense, denoting that the Leviathan eventually ended its movement, After the heroine joined the fray. But they were immediately brought to silence after Valiant Justice (People thought the name was a mouthful, I don't blame them) brought video evidence of Uiara mentioning that Valiant Silver was experimenting on the Leviathan, further damning was the fact that some heroes in the audience found no tampering in the video, even calling out the Hero Wolong out on it.
The debut probably would have led to a massive discussion if not for the timely and loud arrival of perhaps the most famous known living member of JU, Mona Merola-Morales, or Black Swan. A Hero that fought and defeated one the most powerful heroes in Horizon, Scarlet Maturity. She declared that she didn't believe anything shown, and outright told Valiant Justice that the armor he wore did not belong to him, which cause a rapid deterioration to his composure, outright snarling at the heroine, who remained calm and collected throughout the entire conversation, before flying off.
That's the long and short of it. Crusade has outright stated that Justice Unlimited has caused what can be better described as a natural disaster and have taken a vow to unearth every secret they have, including an apparently secret project, only known as Prometheus. I know most hero teams can have bitter rivalries and even spies among their workers, but if you allow me to give my own opinion, as someone who is probably VERY unaware about everything involved with information networks, I have to wonder how Crusade even got access to said information. I'm no Super Spy, but its easy to assume if a team like Justice Unlimited had secret projects like probably any hero team, and had LADY LEIZI aka Miss "If you as much as Breath I will Know about it", they would keep this information under lock, key, and several mounted turrets. To find any information on a supposed "Secret Project" is probably the thing of Spy Thrillers everywhere.
So, it makes you wonder how that information was leaked… I suppose we wont ever get a straight answer for a long while, if ever. I wont lie and say that I'm not curious, its human nature after all, but I assume all heroes have their own secrets, and here on BtH we try to not let ourselves be swallowed by the tide of "Needing to know everything," and this is not because a lot of us here are JU fans, me included. In the advent of such events, we need to take a calmer approach and see all possible angles. Also, we can't forget that this is a HERO team, one that has done visible good in Horizon and like many have pointed out, have lost members to the movement just like everyone else, even the so call "perpetrator" of the incident died, stopping the Leviathan, not only that, even if she were guilty of everything, it doesn't mean ALL members were aware of it. Almost all heroes that went to the QZ died protecting those they hold dear, and that needs to be respected. Here's hoping things get cleared up soon, especially with many more things occurring in the city.
Hmm… Kinda heavy huh? But it needed to be said, but for now; let's talk about some of the members of Justice Unlimited, both old and New. Lets us start with the known fallen members of the organization, then we will take a look at the new leader of the team, some of the accomplishments they have under their belt and finally the newest members.
Starting out as a satellite team to the hero team New Dawn under the codename NuGen (Insert old Statement by the hero Steelheart) the original JU started out with three members to its name: including Uiara, Lady Leizi and Valiant Silver herself. Following this debut, following members to join where the Metallic hero Adamant, The Red Huntress, Radiant Silvergirl, The AI Moon River and Apiary, a potent mix of brawn, brains, and publicity all in one. Of the 7 members plus AI, that were around Pre- Movement, only the Lightning Martial Artist Lady Leizi remains, making her the oldest member of the team (seniority wise) and its current leader. Lets us make a brief introduction of each member and what we know of them:
The first of the Pre- Movement metahumans is the incredible and reputable Uiara. Many would consider this metahuman as the "face" of Justice Unlimited, known not only for her incredible hydrokinetic ability, Uiara was a well-beloved figure in the Horizon Landscape and from what we could tell was one of the first heroes that marched towards the Leviathan in an effort to stop its "awakening" saving the city and quite possibly the world.
Next, we have the armor bound super heroine, Valiant Silver, or Nora Kim. Before the incident with the Leviathan, Ms. Kim became a public figure when she outed herself as a metahuman in order to save her university and classmates from a villain attack, an act that would eventually lead to her being one of the founding members of Justice Unlimited. An incredible inventor and Leader of JU, Valiant Silver, and her "legally distinct enough" armor paved the way to many heroics. Another fun fact is that she was a known writer of …well "Peak Fiction" on her free time or when she was with her apparent paramour Uiara. However, recent events have painted the hero in a negative light, putting the fallen hero's reputation in an all-time low, with nobody being sure who is right or wrong. But we already talked enough of that in the previous section, so let us move on. Another thing of note was the AI she created Moon River, but its more than likely that the piece of technology was destroyed alongside its master during The Movement.
Another face that was quite known by the public was The Red Huntress, a "Jack of all trades master of none" and stout ally of Uiara and Valiant Silver. A smiling face alongside her fellow heroes, The Red Huntress from what people have managed to figure out had a variety of powers centered around the concept of "predation," making her the "hunter" as it were of the team, even though her powers were far lesser than that of her compatriots.
Next in our heroic gallery of Pre movement JU was the Metal Bound Hero Adamant. Mr. Adamant was known as the day-to-day commander of the team and work tirelessly in order to maintain order in his team and to help Horizon. From what we know, Adamant used his abilities with great precision, and in order to protect his teammates. From witness testimonies, when they saw the hero enter the field, he was seen as stoic and slightly unapproachable, but still did his due in order to save the day. Some less… "favorable" rumors surrounding the hero was the fact that many people like to call Justice Unlimited as "Adamant's Harem," due to the fact that he was the only male in the group. You know, ignoring the fact some of the other members where in an open relationship, and gay, or probably had paramours outside of work hours, or just didn't care for relationships, or… I was going somewhere with this… OH RIGHT! *Ahem* sorry about that, the internet Am I Right?
Latest Update: Was Apparently engaged with Lady Leizi!? Lightning Rod is Real? There's going to be so much fanfiction…
Anyway, next are the two dysmorphic members of the team, Radiant Silver Girl, and Apiary. RSG joined after the death of Apiary was best described as living Black/White hole and was probably one of, if not, the most powerful metahuman in Horizon. Her skin taking a coloration akin to silver glass, Radiant Silver Girl cut an astonishing look, although sadly from what we can figure from some witness testimonies who managed to speak with the girl, she was seen as rather "blunt" and not really a "people person." A shame since I can admit she was really pretty to look at. Apiary on the other hand had a far more Serious Dysmorphic appearance and she resembled a large, four-armed, bipedal insect, not unlike a honeybee. She had vestigial wings and a full insectoid abdomen. One of the Strongest Pre- Movement members, back when they were known as NuGen, and she perished at the conclusion of what is now known as the "The Defiance Unit saga," dying at the hands of Scarlet Maturity. From many accounts, the Heroine was really beloved by her team and from a quick search you can see that, considering the multiple memorials in her honor and the fact their main base of operations was named after her.
Finally, we have the last living member of the Pre movement team and one of the better-known members, Lady Leizi. A Chinese woman and one of the lesser-known members of Justice Unlimited, till recent events have put her in more in the limelight. Voted one of the top metahumans people want to be stepped on by… why is this in here? Really? C'mon people, I mean yes, she's hot, and I say that knowing full well my fiancée agrees, but there's a time and place! *Ahem* Anyway, known as a martial arts prodigy, from what footage we have scrounged up, Lady Leizi uses her martial mastery alongside her ability to control electricity in order to land devastating blows. Not only that its pretty much an open secret that she has a rather potent information ring, its pretty much a given that, if you do something in Horizon, Lady Leizi will know. The metahuman leader of the Current JU has not come out and talked much about the organization until recent events, but some of the confirmed accomplishments her team has performed include: Slaying a few behemoths including a gold rank and a Named Behemoth, known as Floating Venom Morpheme. Although some of her more noteworthy actions were her incredible speech during the Memorial for those that fell during the Movement, and her verbal "spar" with the Members of Crusade, including Valiant Justice and White Hawk, who almost seemed to try his best to find out anything about Justice Unlimited secrets. To no avail. Heck, they even revealed some of their own theories about what Justice Unlimited is "hiding," although the Heroine and her allies easily countered anything the trough out and even began questioning where Crusade even got the idea that they had a "Secret Project" which they gave an "excuse" as to "protect" their sources. Lady Leizi is quickly becoming one of the pillars of Justice Unlimited, and it shows.
With that out of the way next on the list are the newest members of Justice Unlimited or the Post- Movement JU as it were. Mona- Merola Morales, otherwise known as Black Swan, Menagerie Witch, Handy Man, Chatelet, Doctor Silver and Valiant Gold. These members made their debut during the Memorial service for those that lost their lives during the movement, which was interrupted by the Supervillain Monarch and her Crew (Including the fact that there's a little girl among them, with some even saying she is Monarch's Daughter? What the hell…) or during a rather intense interview section during a section of "Hero Talk" at the Ọ̀sanyìn Central Network with Takanashi Chihiro, an ace reporter of great esteem, and who may have just quit her job after punching Juan Bonfim (You go Girl!) in his face, if the rumors are to believed. So let us start with…
Mona Merola Morales, or the JU media Darling, Black Swan! Perhaps the most well-known member of the Newest Justice Unlimited, Black Swan was a trainee recruited into the JU fold several years ago in order to train her incredible power, sadly before she could officially join the roster the Movement happened, leaving her as quite possibly the only living member of Justice Unlimited after Lady Leizi. But the Super Heroine apparently did not falter against such odds, and has taken the Hero Scene by storm! With some confirmed sightings ranging from a mention from Earthen Owl of the Powers, Hunting of a Named Behemoth (Most likely contributed a lot towards its defeat), a joint operation with New Dawn Members against Monarch's forces, her appearance during Crusade's Debut, her appearance during the memorial AND her Interview. Black Swan's name is almost synonymous with Justice Unlimited, now we just need an Action Figure, and she will truly be a full-blown hero.
Our next Hero that joined the new roster, considering the series of events, was Menagerie Witch. A young heroine with the ability to make shadowy clones of animals, if the shadowy cat that appeared during her interview is any inclination, also may have a flair for the dramatic, if the apparently back and forth with Black Swan is any indication. Menagerie Witch's story is not kind, as it was revealed during her interview after a rather un-called for question by an individual that goes by "Bodyinabag," The Petit Prince had caused the death of all of Menageries Witch's family, including her mother, and almost all other individuals that lives inside of an apartment complex called Third North Tower. The villain wanted to recruit the heroine into his "Court" and attempted to take control of her. She ended up holding out, alone, for weeks, with nothing but her animal companions and her power. In which part involved the creation of hundreds of clones of those animals—who promptly went berserk in an attempt to protect her life. This action, unknown to her, let to the injuries of several individuals and 3 confirmed deaths, whose knowledge continue to torment the heroine till the present day. *Sigh* Its events like these that just show that Hero work is a Dangerous business. I feel for the young Hero, and truly hope she can continue working in order to reach her goals, be it to save lives in the future, or kill Le' Petit Prince.
Our next member Justice Unlimited, who apparently joined after the Movement is Handyman. An individual best described as a "Strangely muscular and attractive Clay man."
…ok. Who apparently worked as one of Lady Leizi's agents, before joining the superhero scene. Sources mention that his most likely official appearance occurred during the Memorial, where some witnesses mention that he apparently fought against a member of Monarch's team, knowns as Heracles, and later during his interview. We even got to witness some of his abilities during his interview with Valiant Gold, showing him as a type of jokester when among friends, although that interview immediately went south in short order. More in the Valiant gold Segment.
Next on the block is the Newest member who has made quite the re-brand. Opale Houdin-Reyes, formerly known as Hiver of Les Quatre Saison's, now known as the superheroine Châtelet, and I must say I love her new looks, good for her. A potent heroine in her own right, Châtelet ability to create barriers and manipulate gravity to a degree, makes for a potent member of the new JU, although apparently, she may be also in charge of their finances if what she mentioned during her interview with Doctor Silver is anything to go by, an act we silently salute her for… nobody wants to deal with paperwork…nobody. Additionally, she seemed to have been engaged to a member of The Slayers, Abigail, otherwise known as The Giant Slayer.
Not only that apparently she was nearly killed by her cousin and husband!? I'm with Chihiro with this one what the fuck? There's an ENTIRE story behind that statement, and I'm not sure I want know…
Moving on… Next on the block is the rather toned, Doctor Silver.
…I guess were mentioning the attractive attributes of all the adults huh…
*Ahem* Anyway, Doctor Silver is a new face among the JU scene, an apparent long-time researcher of Justice Unlimited, The good Doctor has joined the Hero life thanks to the use of Technology, even while not being a Metahuman! All thanks to a set of next generation shield generators designed by Valiant Silver, whom he later finished himself. Rathe potent shield generators, but extremely expensive, if Châtelet's "inner Darkness" is anything to go by.
Finally, we reach quite possibly the most interesting member of the new JU roster, Valiant Gold. A member who made her first appearance during the Memorial service where she confronted Monarchs Forces, alongside other members of Justice Unlimited and Valiant Justice of Crusade. Frankly, that entire sequence of events could be best described as a fustercluck, the superheroine alongside her fellow heroes made a stand against Monarch, there would have probably been a mayor confrontation if not for the intervention of Scarlet Maturity, who witnesses say he may have confronted Crusade? What is even going on anymore? This all came to a boil, when Valiant Gold discovered that Seraph, a member of Crusade, was using their powers against the members of Justic Unlimited, which frankly and quite justifiably, infuriated her. This discovery led to Lady Leizi and White Hawk pretty much having a verbal spar on live television, which was, "extremely tense, as if one wrong move would end up in a fight," if my coworkers are to be believed. Thankfully, it did not come to blows and both parties, left the scene after their discussion, with Justice Unlimited looking better for ware.
And that's it. Justice Unlimited, an extremely famous hero group that has miraculously been reborn like a phoenix, from the flames of tragedy. This new generation of heroes now hold the reins of the organizations future, the safety of the masses and much, much more. We have seen the previous generation, we have spoken of the good and the bad, and we have seen the potential future. Its not often we get to talk about established hero organizations with so much history behind them, and hopefully all those that have watched todays episode, will be able to understand it as well. This has been Behind the Hero, and please, take care.
Author's Note: FINALLY!!! HAHAHAHA!!! I've done it! Leviathans blood, this has been in the back burner for ages! For context I made a promise to make a 12-episode set of BTH "Episodes" after Bitterman mentioned it in the story, so I went and made them. Justice Unlimited was meant to be the Season finale, but as more chapters were made and new characters were added, plus the fact that not everyone was known by the public yet, it cause me to delay the omake. "Episode" 11 the Healing Hands was on October 6, since we had a confirmation, we were going to have a public debut of the team later, I caved and other omakes and eventually made the Board Breakers for Episode 12. But thanks to finishing the memorial and the interview, I finally finished the JU episode, labeled BtH Special. Hopefully, it looks good. And with that the wait to see what the hell is happening with the Yara mission begins. That's for making such a great quest Bitterman.